Water reclamation system and method

ABSTRACT

A system may include a catch tray coupled with a flow distributor. A mesh screen and carriage may be positioned within the catch tray. A drive bar may be coupled with the carriage and a pitman arm. A gear box may be coupled with a motor and the pitman arm. A process may include distributing contaminated fluid onto the mesh screen. A screen plane of the mesh screen may be at a screen angle that is oblique relative to the direction of the force of gravity. The screen plane is defined by a top surface of the mesh screen. The process may include moving the carriage in a reciprocating linear motion by rotating the pitman arm, and spraying a liquid onto the mesh screen. Liquid may flow through the mesh screen forming clarified liquid, and contaminate may move along the top of the mesh screen to a contaminate outlet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of and claims priority from U.S.non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/928,809, filed Oct. 30, 2015.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to systems andmethods for the separation of liquids from contaminates. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and method forthe separation of water from contaminates for production of clarifiedwater.

BACKGROUND

Contaminated water has the potential of polluting the environment. Reuseof previously contaminated water may reduce demand on other sources ofwater.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides for a system. The system includes acatch tray and a flow distributor. The flow distributor includes aninlet and an outlet, and is coupled with the catch tray. The systemincludes a mesh screen within the catch tray, and a carriage within thecatch tray. The carriage includes conduits with nozzles. A drive bar iscoupled with the carriage and with a pitman arm. A gear box is coupledwith a motor and the pitman arm.

The present disclosure provides for a process. The process includesdistributing a contaminated fluid containing liquid and contaminate ontoa top of a mesh screen. The mesh screen is positioned in a catch tray. Ascreen plane of the mesh screen is at a screen angle that is obliquerelative to the direction of the force of gravity. The screen plane isdefined by a top surface of the mesh screen. The process includes movinga carriage within the catch tray in a reciprocating linear motion. Thecarriage includes conduits with nozzles. Moving the carriage includesrotating a pitman arm coupled to a drive bar. The drive bar is coupledwith the carriage. The process includes spraying a liquid onto a bottomof the mesh screen from the nozzles of the carriage. The liquid of thecontaminated fluid flows through the mesh screen forming clarifiedliquid. The clarified liquid flows through a clarified liquid outlet inthe catch tray. The contaminate moves along the top of the mesh screento a contaminate outlet of the catch tray.

The present disclosure provides for a process. The process includesdistributing a contaminated fluid containing liquid and contaminate ontoa top of a mesh screen from an outlet of a flow distributor. The meshscreen is positioned in a catch tray, and the flow distributor includesan inlet and is coupled with the catch tray. A screen plane of the meshscreen is at a screen angle that is oblique relative to the direction ofthe force of gravity. The screen plane is defined by a top surface ofthe mesh screen. The process includes moving a carriage within the catchtray in a reciprocating linear motion. The carriage includes conduitswith nozzles. Moving the carriage includes rotating a pitman arm coupledto a drive bar. The drive bar is coupled with the carriage and a gearbox. The gear box is coupled with a motor. The process includes sprayinga liquid onto a bottom of the mesh screen from the nozzles of thecarriage. The liquid of the contaminated fluid flows through the meshscreen forming clarified liquid. The clarified liquid flows through aclarified liquid outlet in the catch tray. The contaminate moves alongthe top of the mesh screen to a contaminate outlet of the catch tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be understood from the following detaileddescription when read with the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a system in accordance with certain embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a flow distributor in accordance with certainembodiments.

FIG. 3A depicts a catch tray with a carriage in accordance with certainembodiments.

FIG. 3B depicts a motor, gear box and pitman arm in accordance withcertain embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts a mobile system in accordance with certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description will now be provided. The following disclosureincludes specific embodiments, versions and examples, but the disclosureis not limited to these embodiments, versions or examples, which areincluded to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make anduse the disclosure when the information in this application is combinedwith available information and technology.

Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term usedin a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadestdefinition persons in the pertinent art have given that term asreflected in printed publications and issued patents. Further, unlessotherwise specified, all compounds described herein may be substitutedor unsubstituted and the listing of compounds includes derivativesthereof.

Further, various ranges and/or numerical limitations may be expresslystated below. It should be recognized that unless stated otherwise, itis intended that endpoints are to be interchangeable. Where numericalranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges orlimitations should be understood to include iterative ranges orlimitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated rangesor limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.;greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.).

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a reclamationsystem. With reference to FIG. 1, reclamation system 100 may be used forreclamation of contaminated fluid 10.

Reclamation system 100 includes catch tray 12. In some embodiments, oneor more portions of catch tray 12 are formed of steel, such as stainlesssteel. Flow distributor 14 may be positioned on or proximate to catchtray 12. In some embodiments, flow distributor 14 is formed of steel,such as stainless steel. Flow distributor 14 may be coupled with catchtray 12. An inlet 15 (shown in FIG. 2) of flow distributer 14 may be influid communication with contaminated fluid supply 16, such as throughriser 18. Contaminated fluid supply 16 may supply flow distributor 14with contaminated fluid 10. For example and without limitation,contaminated fluid supply 16 may include pump 13 (e.g., centrifugalpump) for pumping contaminated fluid 10 into inlet 15 of flowdistributor 14.

Flow distributor 14 may distribute contaminated fluid 10 onto meshscreen 20 of reclamation system 100. Mesh screen 20 may be a 40 mesh(420 μm) screen or smaller, a 60 mesh (250 μm) screen or smaller, or an80 mesh (177 μm) screen or smaller. In some embodiments, mesh screen 20is formed of steel, such as stainless steel. Mesh screen 20 may bepositioned within catch tray 12 and below outlet 17 (shown in FIG. 2) offlow distributor 14. In some embodiments, mesh screen 20 is static, suchthat mesh screen 20 is not vibrated, lifted, lowered, moved laterally,moved longitudinally, or otherwise moved during reclamation ofcontaminated fluid 10. In some embodiments, mesh screen 20 is notstatic. In such embodiments, mesh screen 20 may be vibrated, lifted,lowered, moved laterally, moved longitudinally, or otherwise movedduring reclamation of contaminated fluid 10. In some embodiments, cover41 is coupled with catch tray 12 and positioned above mesh screen 20. Insome embodiments, cover 41 is formed of steel, such as stainless steel.

Carriage 60 (shown in FIG. 3A) may be located within catch tray 12 belowmesh screen 20. Carriage 60 may be moved in a reciprocating linearmotion by gear box 22 coupled with motor 24, as detailed in FIGS. 3A and3B.

Catch tray 12 may include clarified liquid outlet 26 in fluidcommunication with clarified liquid tank 28. Clarified liquid outlet 26may be positioned in catch tray 12 such that gravity causes clarifiedliquid 31 to flow to and out of clarified liquid outlet 26. In someembodiments, one or more conduits 62 a-62 d and one or more nozzles 64a-64 d of carriage 60 (shown in FIG. 3A) are in fluid communication withclarified liquid tank 28, such as through conduits 30 a and 30 b, whichmay be rigid or flexible pipes, for example. Clarified liquid tank 28may provide clarified liquid 31 (e.g., clarified water) to one or moreconduits 62 a-62 d and one or more nozzles 64 a-64 d of carriage 60, asdiscussed in more detail below. For example and without limitation, pump32 (e.g., centrifugal pump) may pump clarified liquid 31 from clarifiedliquid tank 28, through conduits 30 a and 30 b, to one or more conduits62 a-62 d and one or more nozzles 64 a-64 d of carriage 60 (as shown inFIG. 3A). In some embodiments, conduits 62 a-62 d are formed of steel(e.g., stainless steel) or polyvinylchloride (PVC).

In some embodiments, mesh screen 20 is positioned such that a topsurface of mesh screen 20 defines a plane, screen plane 40. Screen plane40 may be at screen angle 34 that is oblique relative to the directionof the force of gravity 36. Screen angle 34 may range from greater than0° to less than 90°, from 10° to 80°, from 20° to 70°, from 30° to 60°,from 40° to 50°, from greater than 90° to less than 180°, from 100° to170°, from 110° to 160°, from 120° to 150°, or from 130° to 140°. Forexample and without limitation, support structure 38 may support catchtray 12 such that screen plane 40 is at screen angle 34. In someembodiments, support structure 38 includes extendable support 42 coupledwith catch tray 12 and with a static portion of support structure 46 a.For example and without limitation, extendable support 42 may be boltedto catch tray 12 and to static portion of support structure 46 a.Support structure 38 may include pivotable support 44 coupled with catchtray 12 and with static portion of support structure 46 b. For exampleand without limitation, pivotable support 44 may be bolted to catch tray12 and to static portion of support structure 46 b. In certainembodiments, extendable support 42 is a hydraulic cylinder or apneumatic cylinder coupled with controller 48, which may include anactuator and a hydraulic fluid source or pneumatic fluid source. Incertain embodiments, pivotable support 44 is a pivot bracket. Pivotablesupport 44 may allow catch tray 12 to pivot about pivot point 39. Insome embodiments, one or more portions of support structure 38 areformed of steel, such as stainless steel.

In some embodiments, screen angle 34 relative to the direction of theforce of gravity 36 may be changed by adjusting a position of catch tray12. For example and without limitation, extendable support 42 may extendor retract to lift one end of catch tray 12, while pivotable support 44allows the other end of catch tray 12 to pivot. Such a change in theposition of catch tray 12 may result in a change in screen angle 34.

Reclamation system 100 may include chemical additive injector 50 influid communication with inlet 15 of fluid distributor 14, such asthrough conduit 51, which may be a flexible or rigid pipe, and riser 18.

Catch tray 12 may include contaminate outlet 52, such as a chute.Separator 54 may be positioned to receive contaminate 56 fromcontaminate outlet 52. For example and without limitation, contaminate56 may slide from contaminate outlet 52 and fall into separator 54. Incertain embodiments, separator 54 may be a roll press, a plate press, acentrifuge, or a shaker screen. In some embodiments, contaminated fluidsupply 16 and/or inlet 15 of flow distributor 14 is in fluidcommunication with separator 54, such as through conduit 58, which maybe a flexible or rigid pipe. Separator 54 may include pump 57 (e.g.,centrifugal pump) for pumping separated, remaining liquid 55 fromseparator 54 to contaminated fluid supply 16 and/or inlet 15 of flowdistributor 14.

In some embodiments, reclamation system 100 includes an oil-waterseparator 9 upstream of flow distributor 14. Oil-water separator 9 maybe in fluid communication with flow distributor 14, such as via conduit7 through contaminated fluid supply 16. For example and withoutlimitation, oil-water separator 9 may be an (America PetroleumInstitute) API oil-water separator. Contaminated fluid 10 may flowthrough oil-water separator 9 prior to being distributed onto meshscreen 20, such as upstream of flow distributor 14, or upstream of flowdistributor 14 and contaminated fluid supply 16. Oil-water separator 9may separate at least some oil from contaminated fluid 10.

FIG. 2 depicts a cut away view of the flow distributor 14 in accordancewith certain embodiments. Flow distributor 14 may include inlet 15.Inlet 15 may receive contaminated fluid 10 from contaminated fluidsupply 16. Flow distributor 14 may include outlet 17. Outlet 17 maydistribute contaminated fluid 10 onto mesh screen 20. Outlet 17 may bein contact with mesh screen 20, or outlet 17 may be posited above meshscreen 20. Outlet 17 may have a width equal to or within 10% or 20% ofthe width of mesh screen 20 for distributing contaminated fluid 10across the width of mesh screen 20.

One or more baffles 19 a-19 c may be located within flow distributor 14between inlet 15 and outlet 17. Baffles 19 a-19 c may extend fromalternating walls 21 a and 21 b of flow distributor 14, as depicted.Baffles 19 a-19 c may include linear baffles, such as baffle 19 a; arcbaffles, such as baffle 19 b; angled baffles, such as baffle 19 c; orcombinations thereof. While depicted as having three baffles 19 a-19 c,flow distributor 14 may include any number of baffles, including nobaffles. For example, flow distributor 14 may include from 1 to 10baffles. In some embodiments, flow distributor 14 does not contain anybaffles. Baffles 19 a-19 c force contaminated fluid 10 to flow throughflow distributor 14 along flow path 23, which results in mixing ofcontaminated fluid 10 prior to being distributed across mesh screen 20.For example and without limitation, contaminated fluid 10 may be forcedbelow baffles 19 a, and forced to rise above a height of baffle 19 bbefore passage further along flow path 23 to contact baffle 19 c andexit outlet 17.

FIG. 3A depicts a detail of carriage 60 within catch tray 12, and FIG.3B depicts a detail of motor 24, gear box 22, and pitman arm 68 thatmove carriage 60.

Carriage 60 may be positioned within catch tray 12, and below meshscreen 20. Carriage 60 may include one or more conduits 62 a-62 d. Whiledepicted as having five conduits 62 a-62 e, carriage 60 may include anynumber of conduits, ranging from one to ten, for example. Carriage 60may include one or more conduits 62 a-62 c that extend laterally withincatch tray 12, and one or more conduits 62 d and 62 e that extendlongitudinally within catch tray 12. Conduits 62 a-62 c may extend at anangle relative to the extension of 62 d and 62 e. For example andwithout limitation, conduits 62 a-62 c may extend at an angle relativeto the extension of 62 d and 62 e that is 90°, less than 90°, or greaterthan 90°. While depicted as having two conduits 62 d and 62 e thatextend longitudinally within catch tray 12, carriage 60 may include moreor less than two conduits that extend longitudinally within catch tray12. While depicted as having three conduits that extend laterally withincatch tray 12, carriage 60 may include one, two, or more than threeconduits that extend laterally within catch tray 12.

Each conduit 62 a-62 d may include one or more nozzles 64 a-64 e.Conduits 62 a-62 e may be in fluid communication with conduit 30 b,which may be a flexible pipe or tubing, for example. Conduits 62 a-62 dmay be in fluid communication with nozzles 64 a-64 d. For example andwithout limitation, conduits 62 a-62 d may be pipes coupled with nozzles64 a-64 d.

Drive bar 66 may be coupled with carriage 60. For example and withoutlimitation, drive bar 66 may be pinned to carriage 60 in a manner thatallows drive bar 66 to rotate relative to coupling point 67 a of drivebar 66 to carriage 60. In some embodiments, a length of drive bar 66 isadjustable. For example and without limitation, drive bar 66 may includeone or more additional coupling points 67 b, such as a thru-hole forreceiving a pin. By coupling drive bar 66 with carriage 60 at differentcoupling points 67 a and 67 b, the length of drive bar 66 may beadjusted. In some embodiments, pitman arm 68, drive bar 66, or both arerigid. In some embodiments, pitman arm 68, drive bar 66, or both areformed of steel, such as stainless steel.

Pitman arm 68 may be coupled to drive bar 66. For example and withoutlimitation, pitman arm 68 may be pinned to drive bar 66 via pin 69. Pin69 may allow movement of pitman arm 68 relative to drive bar 66. Pitmanarm 68 may be coupled with gear box 22, such as through shaft 70. Gearbox 22 may be coupled with motor 24, such as through shaft 72. Motor 24may be an electric motor, and may have a variable frequency drive forchanging the speed of pitman arm 68 through gear box 22. Shaft 70 mayextend through base 80 of catch tray 12 to engage with pitman arm 68. Insome embodiments, gear box 22 may be mounted to a bottom of base 80 withmounting plate 65. For example and without limitation, mounting plate 65may be coupled (e.g., bolted or welded) to a bottom of base 80. In someembodiments one or more of gear box 22, motor 24, mounting plate 65, andshafts 72 and 70 are formed of cast iron or steel (e.g., stainlesssteel). Operation of motor 24 may rotate shaft 72, which may beoperatively coupled with gear box 22. Gear box 22 may rotate shaft 70,which may be operatively coupled with pitman arm 68. Pitman arm 68 maybe operatively coupled with drive bar 66. Drive bar 66 may beoperatively coupled with carriage 60.

With further reference to FIG. 3A, catch tray 12 may be formed of base80 coupled with sidewalls 82, 84 and 89. For example, sidewalls 82, 84and 89 may include lower sidewalls 82, middle sidewalls 84, and upperside walls 89, each of which may span about an entire perimeter of catchtray 12. Middle sidewalls 84 may form a portion of catch tray 12 havinga larger width and length than the width and length of the portion ofcatch tray 12 formed by lower sidewalls 82. Middle sidewalls 84 mayconnect with lower sidewalls 82 at an internal ledge that formslongitudinal tracks 88 a and 88 b. Upper sidewalls 89 may form a portionof catch tray 12 having a larger width and length than the width andlength of the portion of catch tray 12 formed by middle sidewalls 84.Upper sidewalls 89 may connect with middle sidewalls 84 at an internalledge 87. The top surface of mesh screen 20 is shown in FIG. 3A. Meshscreen 20 may be supported in catch tray 12 on internal ledge 87.

Cover 41 may be supported on the top of upper sidewalls 89. Cover 41 mayreduce the amount liquids or solids that exit catch tray 12, exceptthrough clarified liquid outlet 26 and contaminate outlet 52. Cover 41may be positioned over mesh screen 20. One skilled in the art with theaid of the present enabling disclosure will understand that mesh screen20 may span across the entire internal area defined by catch tray 12,and that cover 41 may span across a majority of the internal areadefined by catch tray 12, with the exception that cover 41 may not blockflow distributor 14 from distributing contaminated fluid 10 onto meshscreen 20.

A portion of sidewalls 82, 84 and/or 89 of catch tray 12 may formcontaminate outlet 52, which is depicted in a closed position in FIG.3A, but may be opened as shown in FIG. 1. For example and withoutlimitation, contaminate outlet 52 may be a chute connected via a hinge53 to catch tray 12.

Carriage 60 may include wheels or rollers 90 a-90 d in movable contactwith tracks 88 a and 88 b. Wheels or rollers 90 a-90 d may be coupledwith conduits 62 a-62 e. In some embodiments, wheels or rollers 90 a-90d are formed of steel, such as stainless steel.

In some embodiments, reclamation system 100 is a portion of mobilereclamation system 200 that may be transported to remote locations. FIG.4 depicts mobile reclamation system 200. Mobil reclamation system 200includes reclamation system 100, as depicted in FIG. 1, mounted ontransportation device 300. Transportation device 300 may be a sled, bed,trailer, boat, shipping container, railcar, or any other transportationdevice known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Reclamation system100 may be mounted on transportation device 300 in any manner known tothose of skill in the art, such as through use of tie downs. In someembodiments, transportation device 300 may include wheels 400 a and 400b. For example and without limitation, transportation device 300 withwheels 400 a and 400 b may be a trailer that may be coupled with a truckor similar vehicle for transportation of reclamation system 100 on aroadway. Transportation device 300 with wheels 400 a and 400 b may be arailcar for transportation of reclamation system 100 on a railway.

Certain embodiments relate to a reclamation process for reclamation ofliquid, such as water. In some embodiments, the reclamation process maybe implemented using reclamation system 100 or mobile reclamation system200 as described herein and depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B and 4. Whilethe reclamation process is described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A,3B and 4, one skilled in the art with the aid of the present disclosurewill understand that the reclamation process is not necessarily limitedto being performed with reclamation system 100 or mobile reclamationsystem 200 as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B and 4.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B and 4, the reclamation process mayinclude transporting mobile reclamation system 200 to a location foroperation of reclamation system 100 on transportation device 300 withwheels 400 a and 400 b. The reclamation process may include distributingcontaminated fluid 10 containing liquid and contaminate 56 onto a top ofmesh screen 20. The reclamation process may include supplyingcontaminated fluid 10 to flow distributor 14 from contaminated fluidsupply 16. For example and without limitation, contaminated fluid 10 maybe pumped from contaminated fluid source 16 through riser 18 to flowdistributor 14. From riser 18, contaminated fluid 10 may pass into inlet15 of flow distributor 14. Contaminated fluid 10 may flow along flowpath 23 past baffles 19 a-19 c between walls 21 a and 21 b. Baffles 19a-19 c may operate as a static mixer on contaminated fluid 10, resultingin the mixing of contaminated fluid 10. Contaminated fluid 10 may thenflow through outlet 17 onto mesh screen 20. Outlet 17 may be positionedto output contaminated fluid 10 onto mesh screen 20. In someembodiments, outlet 17 may distribute contaminated fluid 10 across afull width of mesh screen 20.

The reclamation process may include positioning catch tray 12 such thatscreen plane 40 is at screen angle 34 relative to the direction of theforce of gravity 36. For example and without limitation, extendablesupport 42 may be extended or retracted to lift one side of catch tray12, while the other side of catch tray 12 pivots about pivot point 39 onpivotable support 44. Controller 48 may actuate extendable support 42(e.g., hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder), such as by providing hydraulicor pneumatic fluid thereto or removing hydraulic or pneumatic fluidtherefrom. While extendable support 42 extends or retracts andpivoatable support 44 allows pivoting of catch tray 12, static portions46 a and 46 b of support structure 38 may remain static.

With mesh screen 20 positioned in catch tray 12 such that screen plane40 is at screen angle 34 relative to the direction of the force ofgravity 36, contaminated fluid 10 flows within catch tray 12 from flowdistributor 14 towards contaminate outlet 52 and clarified liquidsoutlet 26. As contaminated fluid 10 flows across mesh screen 20, liquidwithin contaminated fluid 10 flows through the holes of mesh screen 20,while contaminate 56, which may be solid, moves along the top of meshscreen 20 towards contaminate outlet 52. For example and withoutlimitation, contaminate 56 may slide along the top of mesh screen 20.

In some embodiments, contaminate 56 is a flocculated solid or coagulatedsolid. While contaminate 56 moves along the top of mesh screen 20,flocculation of contaminate 56 may occur. As used herein “flocculation”refers to colloids within contaminated fluid 10 coming out of suspensionor solution and agglomerating into clusters in the form of a flocculatedsolid (floc or flake). The floc or flake formed by flocculation may belarger than the holes in mesh screen 20, such that contaminate 56 cannotflow through mesh screen 20.

Clarified liquid 31 that flows through the holes of mesh screen 20 exitscatch tray 12 through clarified liquid outlet 26. The reclamationprocess may include collecting clarified liquid 31 in clarified liquidtank 28 that is in fluid communication with clarified liquid outlet 26.

The reclamation process may include supplying contaminate 56 fromcontaminate outlet 52 to separator 54, and separating remaining liquid55 from contaminate 56 using separator 54. The reclamation process mayinclude recycling separated remaining liquid 55 from separator 54, anddistributing separated remaining liquid 55 with contaminated fluid 10onto the top of mesh screen 20. For example and without limitation,remaining liquid 55 may be pumped to contaminated fluid source 16through conduit 58.

In some embodiments, the reclamation process includes combiningcontaminated fluid 10 with chemical additive 49 upstream of mesh screen20. For example and without limitation, chemical additive 49 may beinjected from chemical additive injector 50. Chemical additive 49 mayflow from chemical additive injector 50, through conduit 51, into riser18, and to flow distributor 14. Chemical additive 49 may be a chemicalor composition that affects an ionic charge transfer in contaminatedfluid 10. Chemical additive 49 may contain a flocculant, a coagulant,prehydrated bentonite, prehydrated bentonite with barite, an acid, abase, a biocide, a gel breaker, surfactant, or combinations thereof. Asused herein, a “flocculant” is a chemical or composition that causescolloids within contaminated fluid 10 to come out of suspension orsolution and agglomerate into clusters in the form of a floc or flake.One skilled in the art with the aid of the present enabling disclosurewould be able to select the appropriate flocculant for use herein,depending upon the particular contaminated fluid 10. Flocculants mayinclude dry or emulsion polymers. Flocculants may include cationicflocculants and anionic flocculants. Examples of cationic flocculantsinclude, but are not limited to, those based on copolymers ofN,N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate methyl chloride quaternary,N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate methyl chloride quaternary, andacrylamide, commercially available from CHEMTREAT®. Examples of anionicflocculants include, but are not limited to, those based on copolymersof acrylamide and acrylic acid, commercially available from CHEMTREAT®.As used herein, a “coagulant” is a chemical or composition thatneutralizes negative electrical charge on particles within contaminatedfluid 10, which destabilizes the forces that keep colloids apart.Coagulants may include organic coagulants and inorganic coagulants.Examples of coagulants include, but are not limited to, aluminum salts,iron salts, and polyelectrolytes, which are commercially available fromCHEMTREAT®. Examples of organic coagulants include, but are not limitedto, polyamine, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (also referred to aspolyDADMAC), melamine formaldehydes, and tannins, which are commerciallyavailable from CHEMTREAT®. Examples of inorganic coagulants include, butare not limited to, aluminum sulfate, aluminum chloride, polyaluminumchloride and aluminum chlorohydrate, ferric sulfate and ferrous sulfate,and ferric chloride. The coagulant may cause heavy metals present incontaminated fluid 10 to coagulate. The prehydrated bentonite may assistin removal of hydrocarbons and coagulated heavy metals from mesh screen20. As used herein, a “biocide” is a chemical or composition that actsto inhibit or kill organisms present in contaminated fluid 10, such asmicroorganisms (e.g, bacteria). For example and without limitation, thebiocide may be a preservative, disinfectant, pesticide, or insecticide.As used herein, a “gel breaker” is a chemical or composition thatreduces the viscosity of contaminated fluid 10, such as by breakinglong-chain molecules into shorter segments. Gel breakers may be usefulwhen contaminated fluid 10 is a frac fluid. Acids and bases well knownto those skilled in the art may be used to adjust the pH of contaminatedfluid 10. While only a single chemical additive injector 50 is shown,one skilled in the art with the aid of the present enabling disclosurewill understand that reclamation system 100 may include more than onechemical additive injector 50. For example and without limitation,reclamation system 100 may include a separate chemical additive injector50 for each different chemical or composition that is injected into flowdistributor 14.

In some embodiments, chemical additive injector 50 is an automaticflocculant makedown/injector system for making and injecting flocculant.For example and without limitation, commercially available flocculantmakedown/injector systems include those sold by Clearwater Industries,Inc., of Milwaukee, Wis., including Models 50, 150, 300, 300 Big Bag SS,330, 500, 500 stainless steel, 511, 512, 522, 800, 800 stainless steel,and 300 Big Bag.

In some embodiments, the reclamation process includes passingcontaminated fluid 10 through oil-water separator 9 upstream of flowdistributor 14, which may separate at least some oil from contaminatedfluid 10.

In some embodiments contaminated fluid 10 is a liquid-solid suspensionor a solution. In some embodiments, contaminated fluid 10 is a slurry,such as a flocculated aqueous slurry. Contaminated fluid 10 may be adrilling mud, an air drilling misting fluid, produced water, frac fluid,washdown water from an oil refinery or petrochemical plant, wastewaterfrom an oil refinery or petrochemical plant, dredged slurry, sewageslurry, paper pulp slurry, wine dreg slurry, wastewater from a factory,mixtures of water and bedding from an animal farm, slurry obtained bycleaning a sewer pipe, slurry obtained by cleaning a pipeline, orcontaminated water from a body of water. As known to those skilled inthe art, a “drilling mud” is a mixture of liquids and solids (e.g.,solid suspension) used in operations to drill boreholes. The drillingmud may be static or active water based drilling mud, or static oractive brine based drilling mud used in any method of drilling includinghorizontal drilling. “Air drilling misting fluid” is liquid used in mistdrilling. “Produced water” is water produced from a wellbore that is nota treatment fluid. “Frac fluid” is fluid injected into a well tostimulate fracturing within the well. “Washdown water from an oilrefinery or petrochemical plant” refers to water previously used to washequipment at an oil refinery or petrochemical plant. “Wastewater from anoil refinery or petrochemical plant” refers to water previously used inprocessing and/or cooling at an oil refinery or petrochemical plant.“Mixtures of water and bedding from an animal farm” refers to bedding(e.g., hay) mixed with liquids (e.g., animal waste). After beingprocessed in reclamation system 100, liquid and bedding may be reused ata farm. “Dredged slurry” refers to the slurry formed by dredging a bodyof water. After being processed in reclamation system 100, clarifiedliquid may be returned to the body of water. “Sewage slurry” refers to amixture of sewage and water, such as from a municipal sanitationfacility. “Paper pulp slurry” refers to a mixture of paper and waterused in the production of paper. “Wine dreg slurry” refers to a slurryof organic matter (e.g., grapes) and water. “Wastewater from a factory”refers to water previously used in processing and/or cooling at afactory. “Slurry obtained by cleaning a sewer pipe” refers to a mixtureof sewage and cleaning liquids obtained from the cleaning of a sewerpipe. “Slurry obtained by cleaning a pipeline” refers to a mixture ofsolids and cleaning liquids obtained from the cleaning of a pipelinethat is not a sewer pipe. “Contaminated water from a body of water” maybe water from a natural or artificial body of water that has beencontaminated, such as with oil, hydrocarbons other than oil, chemicalsother than hydrocarbons (e.g., heavy metals), or sewage. After passingthrough reclamation system 100, clarified water may be returned to thebody of water. For example and without limitation, the body of water maybe a lake, river, ocean, canal, ditch, pond (e.g., retention pond), orbayou.

In some embodiments, liquid of contaminated fluid 10 is water, such thatclarified liquid 31 is clarified water.

In some embodiments, contaminate 56 includes particles having a particlesize D₅₀, or D₉₀, or D₉₉, or D₁₀₀ that is 1 μm or less. In someembodiments, contaminate 56 includes particles having a particle sizeD₅₀, or D₉₀, or D₉₉, or D₁₀₀ that is 1 μm or more. The particles ofcontaminate 56 may be subjected to flocculation on mesh screen 20,resulting in the agglomeration of the particles such that agglomeratesof the particles have a particle size D₅₀, or D₉₀, or D₉₉, or D₁₀₀ thatis larger than the holes in mesh screen 20 and cannot pass through meshscreen 20.

Contaminate 56 of contaminated fluid 10 may be metal, bacteria, oil, orhydrocarbons other than oil. For example and without limitation,contaminate 56 may be arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, chromium, ironsulfide, iron oxide, entrained hydrocarbons, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments clarified liquid 31 is water containing less than1000, 700, 500 or 300 ppm hydrocarbons. For example and withoutlimitation, when contaminated fluid 10 contains contaminate 56 that isoil or another hydrocarbon in amounts greater than 300 ppm, reclamationsystem 100 and reclamation process may filter contaminated fluid 10 suchthat clarified liquid 31 is water containing less than 300 ppmhydrocarbons. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that inembodiments in which contaminate 56 is oil and the liquid ofcontaminated fluid 10 is water, the differential of surface tensionbetween oil and water may allow the oil to move over the top of meshscreen 20 while the water passes through the holes of mesh screen 20.

In some embodiments, clarified liquid 31 has a reduced chemical oxygendemand (COD), reduced biological oxygen demand (BOD), or both relativeto the COD and BOD of contaminated fluid 10. As used herein, “BOD”refers to a measurement of the amount of dissolved oxygen need byaerobic biological organisms in a liquid (e.g., water). As used herein,“COD” refers to a measurement of the amount of chemicals and compoundscapable of being oxidized in a liquid (e.g., water).

In some embodiments, the reclamation process includes determining ifcontaminated fluid 10 has a solids content of 10 weight percent or more,or 5 weight percent or more, or 3 weight percent or more, such as by anymethod well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example,solids content may be measured in accordance with ASTM C1603. Ifcontaminated fluid 10 is determined to have a solids content of 10weight percent or more, or 5 weight percent or more, or 3 weight percentor more, the reclamation process may then include mechanicallyseparating a portion of solids from contaminated fluid 10 prior todistributing contaminated fluid 10 on the top of mesh screen 20 untilcontaminated fluid 10 has a solids content of less than 10 weightpercent, or less than 5 weight percent, or less than 3 weight percent.Mechanical separation may be performed by filtering, for example.

The reclamation process may include moving carriage 60 that is belowmesh screen 20 within catch tray 12 in a reciprocating linear motionwithin catch tray 12. For example and without limitation, carriage 60may reciprocally move within catch tray 12 in a first direction 59 a anda second direction 59 b. Moving carriage 60 may include operating motor24 and gear box 22 to rotate pitman arm 68 about rotation point 79.Rotation of pitman arm 68 is translated into reciprocal linear motionvia drive bar 66. As pitman arm 68 rotates (e.g., away from contaminateoutlet 52, as depicted), drive bar 66 moves in first direction 59 a,thereby, forcing carriage 60 to move in first direction 59 a. As pitmanarm 68 continues to rotate (e.g., towards contaminate outlet 52, asdepicted), drive bar 66 moves in second direction 59 b, thereby, forcingcarriage 60 to move in second direction 59 b. The speed of movement ofcarriage 60 may be adjusted by adjusting the variable speed drive ofmotor 24. Carriage 60 moves within catch tray 12 by rolling on wheels orrollers 90 a-90 c. Wheels or rollers 90 a-90 c roll along tracks 88 aand 88 b. Carriage 60 may be positioned such that a space is locatedbetween carriage 60 and base 80 of catch tray 12.

The reclamation process includes spraying a liquid, such as water, ontoa bottom of mesh screen 20 from nozzles 64 a-64 d of carriage 60. Forexample and without limitation, liquid may flow into conduits 62 a-62 dof carriage 60 from conduit 30 b. The liquid may then flow throughconduits 62 a-62 d and out of nozzles 64 a-64 d. The liquid spraying outof nozzles 64 a-64 d may be directed towards the bottom of mesh screen20. In some embodiments, nozzles 64 a-64 d are static. Static nozzles 64a-64 d do not rotate, swivel, or otherwise move relative to conduits 62a-62 d. In some embodiments, nozzles 64 a-64 d are not static. In someembodiments, the liquid that is sprayed from nozzles 64 a-64 d isclarified liquid 31.

In operation, when catch tray 12 is positioned such that screen plane 40is at screen angle 34 relative to the direction of the force of gravity36, carriage 60 may move upwards relative to gravity along tracks 88 aand 88 b and towards flow distributor 14. As carriage 60 moves upwards,liquid sprayed from carriage 60 may clean mesh screen 20 by looseningany stuck solids within holes of mesh screen 20. Also, as carriage 60moves upwards, liquid sprayed from carriage 60 may lift at least somecontaminate 56 (e.g., floc or flake) to a position above mesh screen 20,such that contaminate 56 is at least temporarily suspended above meshscreen 20. Such loosening and lifting, in conjunction with gravity,assists contaminate 56 in movement along the top of mesh screen 20towards contaminate outlet 52, and reduces or eliminates passage ofcontaminate 56 through mesh screen 20. Carriage 60 may move downwardsrelative to gravity along tracks 88 a and 88 b and towards contaminateoutlet 52. As carriage 60 moves downward, the liquid sprayed fromcarriage 60 may clean mesh screen 20 by loosening any stuck solidswithin holes of mesh screen 20. Also, as carriage 60 moves downward, theliquid sprayed from carriage 60 may force (e.g., sweep) contaminate 56on the top of mesh screen 20 to move (e.g., slide) downwards along meshscreen 20 and towards contaminate outlet 52. Carriage 60 may move alongthe entire interior length or substantially the entire interior lengthof catch tray 12 along first and second directions 59 a and 59 b, suchthat nozzles 64 a of conduit 62 a may spray liquid on the bottom of meshscreen 20 at one end, and nozzles 64 c of conduit 62 c may spray liquidon the bottom of mesh screen 20 at the opposite end. Nozzles 64 d and 64e of conduits 62 d and 62 e may spray liquid on the bottom of meshscreen 20 from one end to the opposite end. In such embodiments, nozzles64 a-64 e of conduits 62 a-62 e may continuously or intermittently sprayliquid on the entire planar surface of the bottom of mesh screen 20.

The liquid of contaminated fluid 10 flows through mesh screen 20 formingclarified liquid 31, which flows through clarified liquid outlet 26 incatch tray 12. In certain embodiments, clarified liquid 31, which may bereclaimed water, may be used as makeup water. For example and withoutlimitation, reclaimed water may be used in: frac fluid; drilling fluid;potable water; production of paper; production of wine; and processes atfactories, oil refineries, and chemical plants.

In some embodiments the reclamation process includes clarifyingcontaminated fluid 10 at a rate of from 500 to 12,000 gallons per minute(gpm), or from 500 to 3,000 gpm. For example and without limitation,reclamation system 100 may have a capacity for clarifying contaminatedfluid 10 at a rate of from 500 to 3,000 gpm, 1,000 to 3,000 gpm, or2,000 to 3,000 gpm. In some embodiments, multiple reclamation systems100 may be used (e.g., in parallel and/or series), providing a capacityfor clarifying contaminated fluid 10 at a rate of from 500 to 12,000gpm, 1,000 to 12,000 gpm, 2,000 to 12,000 gpm, or 3,000 to 12,000 gpm.In some embodiments, the reclamation process is a continuous reclamationprocess in which contaminated fluid 10 is continuously provided to thetop of mesh screen 20 and clarified as described herein, as opposed to abatch reclamation process in which discrete batches of contaminatedfluid 10 are intermittently provided to the top of mesh screen 20 andclarified as described herein. In some embodiments, the reclamationprocess is a batch reclamation process.

“Gravity” as used herein refers to the gravity of the Earth.

Depending on the context, all references herein to the “disclosure” mayin some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other casesit may refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but notnecessarily all, of the claims. While the foregoing is directed toembodiments, versions and examples of the present disclosure, which areincluded to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and usethe disclosures when the information in this patent is combined withavailable information and technology, the disclosures are not limited toonly these particular embodiments, versions and examples. Other andfurther embodiments, versions and examples of the disclosure may bedevised without departing from the basic scope thereof and the scopethereof is determined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process comprising: distributing a contaminatedfluid comprising liquid and contaminate onto a top of a mesh screen,wherein the mesh screen is positioned in a catch tray, wherein the meshscreen is static, and wherein a screen plane of the mesh screen is at ascreen angle that is oblique relative to the direction of the force ofgravity, wherein the screen plane is defined by a top surface of themesh screen; moving a carriage within the catch tray in a reciprocatinglinear motion, wherein the carriage comprises one or more conduits withone or more nozzles, wherein moving the carriage comprises rotating apitman arm coupled to a drive bar, wherein the drive bar is coupled withthe carriage; and spraying a liquid onto a bottom of the mesh screenfrom the one or more nozzles of the carriage, wherein the liquid of thecontaminated fluid flows through the mesh screen forming clarifiedliquid, wherein the clarified liquid flows through a clarified liquidoutlet in the catch tray, and wherein the contaminate moves along thetop of the mesh screen to a contaminate outlet of the catch tray.
 2. Theprocess of claim 1, wherein the liquid that is sprayed from the one ormore nozzles is the clarified liquid.
 3. The process of claim 1, whereinthe contaminated fluid is distributed onto the top of the mesh screenwith a flow distributor that comprises an inlet, an outlet, and one ormore baffles located within the flow distributor between the inlet andoutlet, wherein the flow distributor mixes the contaminated fluid anddistributes the contaminated fluid onto the mesh screen.
 4. The processof claim 1, further comprising combining the contaminated fluid with achemical additive upstream of the mesh screen, wherein the chemicaladditive comprises a flocculant, a coagulant, prehydrated bentonite, anacid, a base, a biocide, a gel breaker, or a surfactant.
 5. The processof claim 1, further comprising supplying the contaminate from thecontaminate outlet to a separator, and separating remaining liquid fromthe contaminate using the separator.
 6. The process of claim 5, furtherrecycling the separated remaining liquid from the separator, anddistributing the separated remaining liquid with the contaminated fluidonto the top of the mesh screen.
 7. The process of claim 1, furthercomprising positioning the catch tray such that the screen plane is atthe screen angle that is oblique relative to the direction of the forceof gravity.
 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the contaminated fluid isa drilling mud, an air drilling misting fluid, produced water, fracfluid, washdown water from an oil refinery or petrochemical plant,wastewater from an oil refinery or petrochemical plant, dredged slurry,sewage slurry, paper pulp slurry, wine dreg slurry, wastewater from afactory, mixtures of water and bedding from an animal farm, slurryobtained by cleaning a sewer pipe, slurry obtained by cleaning apipeline that is not a sewer pipe; or contaminated water from a body ofwater.
 9. The process of claim 1, wherein the liquid of the contaminatedfluid is water.
 10. The process of claim 1, wherein the contaminatecomprises flocculated solid or coagulated solid.
 11. The process ofclaim 1, wherein the contaminate comprises metal, bacteria, or oil. 12.The process of claim 1, wherein the contaminate comprises arsenic,cadmium, mercury, lead, chromium, iron sulfide, iron oxide, or entrainedhydrocarbons.
 13. The process of claim 1, wherein the contaminatecomprises oil, and wherein the clarified liquid is water containing lessthan 300 ppm hydrocarbons.
 14. The process of claim 1, wherein theclarified liquid has a reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) and areduced biological oxygen demand (BOD) relative to the COD and BOD ofthe contaminated fluid.
 15. The process of claim 1, further comprising,if the contaminated fluid has a solids content of 3 weight percent ormore, then mechanically separating a portion of solids from thecontaminated fluid prior to distributing the contaminated fluid on thetop of the mesh screen until the contaminated fluid has a solids contentof less than 3 weight percent.
 16. The process of claim 1, furthercomprising passing the contaminated fluid through an oil-water separatorupstream of the flow distributor.